Archaeol is a cell membrane lipid of methanogenic archaea excreted in feces. This study, based on respiration chamber measurements, revealed that fecal archaeol concentration offers some potential in serving as a proxy for individual methane emission but that it also cannot be implemented easily on a farm because diet composition, dry matter intake, and the time for fecal sampling have to be taken into account.

In order to reveal whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 α (PPARGC1A) gene is involved in the process of milk fat synthesis in buffalo, we analyzed the function and expression of this gene here. The results showed that buffalo PPARGC1A played a key role in the lipid synthesis of mammary gland. Eight SNPs were found in its coding region, of which three were non-synonymous. This study revealed that the PPARGC1A is closely related to buffalo milk fat synthesis.

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition and fatty acid content of the muscle tissues of lambs and adult sheep. The results support the inclusion of dietitian-recommended mutton into the human diet and the promotion of the production of meat from adult animals as a high-value product. The sheep industry could benefit economically, particularly in countries where this meat type has not enjoyed a high standing in consumer preferences.

The objective of the current research was to evaluate genetic relationships among indigenous Turkish Karayaka sheep subpopulations as well as genetic diversity. Our results show a high genetic differentiation among subpopulations, which is quite interesting when considered for only one breed. This differentiation should be taken into consideration when preparing conservation programs and future breeding strategies.

This study aimed to assess drip loss measurements in mutton taken by different methods (EZ and bag, BM) and their relationship with pH values and color. Mutton samples originating from 20 ewes of Istrian sheep were used to examine the effect of the method on drip loss after 24 and 48 h. EZ and BM method in mutton do not provide equivalent results for measuring drip loss. Comparisons of the results obtained with different methods should be avoided or at least performed with great precaution.

Nutritional requirements can be met, and carcass quality can be achieved by using concentrate supplementing (0, 1.5, and 3 % body weight) in the diets of lambs grazing tropical pastures (Panicum maximum cv. 'Aruana' and Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandu'). The finishing period can be shorted with supplementation of 3 % of body weight. The discriminant analysis can identify differences between rearing systems based on all carcass traits. This analysis can be used in carcass traceability systems.

Testicular transcriptomes were analyzed to characterize the differentially expressed genes between mulard and Pekin ducks, which will help establish gene expression datasets to assist in further determining the mechanisms of genetic sterility in mulard ducks. Paraffin sections were made to compare the developmental differences in testis tissue between the two breeds. A comparative transcriptome sequencing of testis tissues was performed, and the expression of candidate genes was verified.

To speed up the progress of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in cattle breeding, kinesin family member 1A (KIF1A) genes were chosen based on our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis results. We detected insertion/deletion (InDel) variation in these three candidate genes in 438 individual cattle (Xinjiang Brown cattle and Wagyu × Luxi crossbreed cattle). These findings may aid future analyses of InDel genotypes in cattle breeds and speed up the progress of MAS in cattle breeding.

In this review, we discuss the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) on digestion, gut microbiota composition, metabolism, intestinal morphology, immunology, and growth performance in pigs. We give an overview of the different effects of FOS considering the chemical structure, the dose and duration of FOS, and differences between sexes. In conclusion, FOS represents a nutritional strategy of interest in pigs to improve the beneficial bacteria of the gut, the immunity, and growth traits.

We measured physical meat quality of a slow-growing broiler as an alternative to fast-growing broiler, and we used slatted floor housing and free-range production as alternatives to conventional deep litter. Taking into account genotype × housing system interactions for meat pH and shear force traits, a fast-growing broiler may be more appropriate for fully slated housing and a slow-growing broiler may be more suitable for a free-range housing system.

The α_S2 casein (α_S2-CN) is an important component in milk, but the variation of buffalo CSN1S2 and its corresponding variants are not clear. In this study, 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in CSN1S2 by DNA sequencing. Based on them, 11 α_S2-CN variants were inferred and named. There are eight amino acid differences between buffalo and cattle in the sequences of α_S2-CN variants. The results provide insights into the variation, characteristics and function of buffalo CSN1S2.

Here, we investigated the effect of sire line on growth performance and carcass traits of crossbred offspring under standardized environmental conditions. Pigs sired by a synthetic line showed benefits in fattening performance and Piétrain crossbreeds were characterized by a better carcass value. The synthetic line is preferable in terms of the number of fatting pigs per fattening place and year, while the Piétrain line provides increased leanness and carcass cuts.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression level and genetic variation of the ACSL1 gene of the Dezhou donkey and its effect on growth traits. The results show that the ACSL1 gene is regularly expressed in Dezhou donkey tissue. Through the association analysis of the genotype and haplotype combination and growth traits, it is speculated that the ACSL1 gene can be used as a candidate gene for Dezhou donkey breeding.

This study evaluated the production performance of six chicken breeds under different agroecologies in Nigeria for 72 weeks. Each participating smallholder poultry (SHP) farmer (2100) received about 30 birds. The breeds were ranked (highest–lowest) for growth, laying performance and survivability as Shika-Brown/Sasso>FUNAAB Alpha/Noiler>Kuroiler>Fulani. The lowland rainforest and freshwater swamp supported the highest performance of the breeds. The study could guide the development of SHP.

This F94L MSTN polymorphism study demonstrates the high genetic potential of Aberdeen Angus and Belgian Blue cattle. The Aberdeen Angus populations have animal carriers of the AM, OS, DD and M1 genetic defects points. Animal carriers of HY and MSUD genetic defects were absent in the Hereford herds. These facts allow us to conclude that the breeding of the above breeds has great potential for improving meat cattle industry profitability under genetic defect control.

The relationship between HSPB1 expression and muscle growth in beef cattle has previously been reported, but there have been no reports of DNA markers related to meat quantity in Korean native steers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of SNPs within HSPB1 in terms of the carcass traits related to muscle growth in Korean native steers.

In an experiment the longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius muscles were collected from lambs of two genotypes to analyse physico-chemical traits, fatty acid profile, taurine, carnosine, and L-carnitine. Results showed a greater impact of the lamb’s genotype on physical traits of meat than on its chemical composition and content of bioactive components. Muscle type had an effect on meat colour; collagen content; fatty acid profile; and the amount of taurine, carnosine, and L-carnitine.

Recently, consumers have been seeking natural and healthy products such as meat rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, beneficial for health with decreasing the saturated fatty acids. Then, to enhance the meat quality, some nutritional strategies were considered such as using the residues of aromatic and medicinal plants. Then, the use of rosemary residues in lamb feeding increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-6 and n-3 contents and reduced the saturation index in muscles and adipose tissues.

We investigated stress parameters and behaviours of goat kids from dairy type (Saanen and Maltese) and indigenous (Hair and Gokceada) breeds during 10-week fattening. Dairy kids did not express behavioural or biochemical stress responses during the study. Especially in the last 2 weeks of fattening, Gokceada kids were less successful in coping with a confined environment. It is concluded that indigenous breeds, especially Gokceada kids, are not appropriate for intensive fattening in a pen.

The expression patterns of the HPG axis-related genes in rams were analyzed using qPCR. It showed that DIO2 and KISS1 were mainly expressed in pituitary and hypothalamus in both breeds, respectively. EYA3 and GPR54 were widely expressed in both breeds, with significant differences in testis and vas deferens. We speculated that the four genes may regulate the estrous mode in different regions in rams. This is the first study to analyze the expression patterns of HPG axis-related genes in rams.

This study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for further studying the molecular regulation mechanism of hair follicle development. EDA and EDAR were both expressed in the skin tissue in the seven cashmere goat embryo stages. Moreover, EDA and EDAR play an important role in the formation of embryonic placode (Pc). After interfering with EDA and EDAR, the expression of BMP2, BMP4, noggin, β-catenin, TGF-β2, Wnt-10b, and NOTCH1 in fibroblasts and epithelial cells changed significantly.

The lipid analysis of commercial lamb meat, from the two main Moroccan production areas Middle Atlas and highlands of eastern Morocco, was conducted. The fatty acid profiles of the sheep meats analyzed showed polyunsaturated fatty acid richness, balanced polyunsaturated / saturated fatty acid ratios, and desirable fatty acid richness. The present study provides new insights into the nutritional value of intramuscular fat of four Moroccan sheep meats reared in an outdoor production system.

Sixty-eight samples were collected from Egyptian Maghrebi camels to investigate the association of β-casein gene with milk composition traits. β-casein gene, parity and lactation stage recorded significant effect on chemical composition of milk, suggesting the processing of their milk into cheese and butter at the end of lactation stages of the middle parities of their productive life. β-casein gene may be used as a DNA marker in selection programs for the improvement of camel milk composition.